Treatment After Eating Disorders

Solve Your Dental Complications After An Eating Disorder

Among the susceptible figure-conscious young female group and more males than ever, eating disorders are quite
common, and teeth erosion is a side effect of the acidic oral environment resulting from either purging or a poor
diet. Thankfully, Dr. James Courey has the skill and training to effectively provide eating disorder treatment to
Monmouth County residents.

Eating disorders, including bulimia (binge eating followed by self-induced vomiting), anorexia and poor dieting
habits carry side effects which are detrimental to your bodily and mental well-being – they can also rot your teeth.
Studies have shown that up to 2.1% of males and 7.3% of females purge (self-induced vomiting) at least once a week,
and the numbers are even higher for adolescents.

Common Symptoms

Tooth surface loss from erosion caused by chemicals such as dietary, gastric, or environmental acids typically wear away
tooth enamel, which leads to sensitive teeth, cavities, or gum disease. If untreated, these effects can exacerbate, leading to
teeth grinding and gastric reflux disease. Soft tissue lesions, malnutrition, a suppressed immune system, low self-esteem,
an addictive personality (smoking, drinking or drugs), peptic ulcers, and esophagitis are common among people who suffer
from bulimia and anorexia. Oral damage from such disorders can include a severe breakdown of the teeth or their supporting
structures which can affect the facial muscular system, negatively affecting your daily quality of life; the effort to
restore a damaged mouth can become extremely challenging and costly.

Treatment Options

Treatment of the problem, besides education and being supportive to the person suffering from the disorder, involves
precise dental management: controlling the oral environment, drinking water or healthier juice instead of diet soda,
eating healthier (as opposed to binge eating and purging) are all part of the solution. Using prescription strength
fluoride to harden and desensitize your teeth as well as maintaining your oral hygiene by brushing and flossing at
least twice a day is also crucial. If you regurgitate or vomit, rinse your mouth out right away. Adding baking soda
to your brushing can also neutralize the acidic environment.

Contact The Dental Experts at SDNJ

Getting a custom-fitted night guard to prevent further loss of tooth structure from grinding and bruxism and perhaps
veneers or crowns can be used to restore ideal health to your mouth. A consultation at our practice with prosthodontist
Dr. James Courey, who provides eating disorder treatment in Monmouth County, would be the first step of the process. The
earlier you start treating the problem the better. A healthy mouth is essential for a healthy life.

Specialized Dentistry of New Jersey (SDNJ) provides eating disorder treatment to Monmouth County residents.
Specialized Dentistry of New Jersey also serves patients from the areas of Freehold, Old Bridge, Morganville, Marlboro, East Brunswick, North
Brunswick, and Middlesex County, New Jersey.

Before & After

Testimonial

“I had never heard of a prosthodontist until a friends referred me to the Manalapan,
NJ dental office of Dr. James Courey. After overcoming my struggling with eating disorders, I
was ready to reward myself by restoring my smile that was destroyed
by years of purging. Other dentists made me feel ashamed of the condition
of my teeth, but Dr. Courey and his team actually congratulated me on overcoming my illness."

"He explained to me the various technologies and treatment that he would utilize to give me
the smile I wanted, like implants, crowns, and veneers. My new smile has given me a new found
confidence that I look good. My mother cried when she saw my teeth because Dr. Courey’s
dentistry erased the remaining visible reminder of my anorexia.”

Specialized Dentistry of New Jersey (SDNJ) provides state-of-the-art dental care in Manalapan, NJ, using the latest equipment and techniques. We are located in Manalapan and serve the areas of Freehold, Old Bridge, Morganville, Marlboro, East Brunswick, North Brunswick, Middlesex County, and Monmouth County, New Jersey